Solar Flux welds

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Here's (link) shots at my first attempts with Solar Flux.  The first fews are the alcohol I used for the mixture.  I tried to contact Solar Flux about whether I'm getting the results I should be expecting...  or not.  What do you think?  Some of the pictures of the album have captions at the bottom for some explanations...Last edited by Paco; 10-29-2010 at 04:21 PM.Reason: Repair linkUSINUM - CNC routing workshopPaco's area - blogspot---Lincoln MIGpack180 (GMAW - FCAW)Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:link is not working...miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Originally Posted by turbocad6link is not working...
Reply:Pic is 18 gauge, SS butt weld, solar fluxed ID,  with less thanperfect fitup, but yielded acceptable results for what it is--muffler tip extensions for aircraft.http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1288383806 Attached ImagesBlackbird
Reply:Originally Posted by PacoHere's (link) shots at my first attempts with Solar Flux.  The first fews are the alcohol I used for the mixture.  I tried to contact Solar Flux about whether I'm getting the results I should be expecting...  or not.  What do you think?  Some of the pictures of the album have captions at the bottom for some explanations...
Reply:What welding process are you using?Edit: I just found your link.  You are using TIG?  Are all the joints you showed pictured using solar flux?  Its hard to tell what is the front side of the weld, and what is the back side (Root.)If you are TIG'ing stainless, you can just solar flux the back side.  With TIG the argon should shield the front side, as long as you have a large enough cup with proper gas flow and held close enough to surface, and keep the heat of the material low enough.  If you are oxy-acetylene welding stainess, solar flux the back and the front sides.  And maybe your filler rod too.Also, when solar flux'ing, try and get your welding done in one heat cycle / pass.  If you can't do it in one heat cycle, remove the hardened, "heat fused" flux in between passes and re-apply fresh flux slurry over those parts.  Otherwise if you take the heat hardened flux over multiple heat cycles, the heat cycling of the hardened flux can make the hardened flux fracture and chip off, leaving unprotected areas.It looks like you are using the manufacturer's recommended alcohol type.  The only thing I've ever used was 70% isopropyl.  Seemed to work OK.  Just don't over thin the mixture with too much alcohol.  You want thin paste consistency, for brushing on.Last edited by jakeru; 10-30-2010 at 02:28 PM.
Reply:I built a couple complete stainless steel exhaust systems with solar flux using oxy acetylene.  It worked great, actually.  With the flux on front and back sides, there is little concern about over-heating the part, since its completely protected.  Makes it easy to get all the welding done - and quickly - in one heat cycle.  No reason you couldn't do this with TIG, if you fluxed the front and backsides adequately.Removing the hard flux after welding is kind of a hassle however, I did it with a high powered (7") angle grinder and a pretty aggressive stainless steel wire brush.  Lots of pressure was necessary and it left a kind of "smeared" (not super shiney, polished) surface.  However it did look like all fresh stainless steel, and it has help up well - no rusting after years of service, etc.I was just reading on the solar flux manufacturer's web site about using "wonder gel" product (containing some strong acids) to chemically clean off the flux.  I would like to read a review of that product, if anyone's tried it.http://www.derustit.com/cart/index.p...roducts_id=207
Reply:Here is an example of a stainless steel automotive downpipe I fabricated using oxy-acetylene and solar flux (on the front and back sides.) Attached Images
Reply:I see no problems at all.Looks like a regular stainless pipe joint with solar flux backing.Solar flux is what it is. It leaves a mess on the inside of the pipe but the weld will be solid.I mix mine with 99% iso alcoholJasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:FWIW--solar flux instructions specifically stateto mix with methanol, which is what I do.Blackbird
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonFWIW--solar flux instructions specifically stateto mix with methanol, which is what I do.
Reply:Originally Posted by 4sfedDo you mix fresh each time you use it . . . or save in an air tight container?  There is no mention of that on the can.Jim